So what specifically is it about a visit to the local library do you think students lose with online tools, Jason?
I believe James makes a good point. Students have almost reached the point of being "lazy" in their research. I believe in a lot of ways, that new technology is a reason not to make a trip to the local library. Although I can't argue its benefits, it comes with costs.
I understand Mr. West's comment about hijacking the term "nomad" for applying to students, but it's inevitable that terms (especially ones what had a scientific or technical meaning) get used casually or gain alternate meanings over time.
As someone in the architecture profession, I see the same thing with the term "architect." For the purposes of ensuring proper qualifications and training, the term is intended to be reserved solely for registered architects that are qualified to design buildings. But now we see it used in many unrelated fields, such as "software architect."
Anyway, to respond to the actual questions:
I think the term applies well to young students, in a casual sense, because of their ability to "survive" (learn) in the on-the-go society of today. They communicate with friends, family, as well as teachers and students from any location. They can learn and participate in a class from almost any location in a developed/industrialized nation. And they don't just get by in this fashion - they thrive on it.
So, Tom, what examples would you say are constructive uses of social networking tools in your course(s)?
I agree with Guy. There is so much social networking that is wasted time when it can be used in a more productive manner. Also, the lack of proper spelling with all the texting short cuts is starting to show up on written papers that students turn in.
I agree, James, however, how does that change your instructional design and delivery as the teacher?
I think they have recognized that information no longer exists in a two-dimensional or linear world--it has become more three-dimensional and perhaps even fourth dimensional with much less formal structure. They travel to find what they need, when they need it by whatever means or technology means they have available.
Excellent observations, Chris. I also think the idea of "home" itself has changed to where students don't feel drawn to anywhere in particular and will embrace any new web site, or resource that best supports their needs. This also challenges us as teachers to not even get too familiar or comfortable with one technology use :)
Nomads wander, they do not have a true "home" or single place of residence. Nomadic learners wander as well. They are at home in the classroom, on the web, on the cell phone, in a chat room, or even in a virtual reality. No-one can argue that people learn as they go, they learn from experiences that they come across in life.
The current generation learns best from life experiences, and their learning is not centered in one area - the classroom. Perhaps we should stop pretending it is.
-Chris
Great points, Guy. I like what you say about channeling the energy :) The thing is, what do you think teachers could do to create situations of learning within which students are required to use the same sort of energy in research, organization and application of the information to real contexts of use? Access to information is key, as you say, as is the design of assignments and coursework for students.
Hey I think that the access to information is the key here. I was a library freak growing up, Why? Well it was the only thing we had then. No internet even existed. No students of all ages can me mobile and even sit in a coffee show and research projects. My niece texts a couple hundred a month and I can safely say if she channeled that energy a little more into reading things for class she would be doing much better in school. But access to information is a huge thing in educating students from 1st grade through college.
Yes, Michael, many teachers are troubled by this reality. I would suggest, however, that there are various forms of language use and we as teachers must demonstrate and inform around those uses...including digital forms of the language.
Great points. Tracy. The immediacy of the technology has revolutionized teaching and learning forever...and the potential to maximize student responsibility for the learning process.
Students today have so many more resources to draw from to receive information and interact. Interaction today is in real-time, as opposed to researching for hours via card catalogs, or microfiche, or waiting another 2 weeks because someone else has checked out the book you need for research from the library.
We only dreamed of having the information "right now". Waiting for information is (thankfully) a thing of the past. As for instructors, this helps us as well in that we no longer just have to have a single term paper, but can deliver projects along the way to help facilitate learning on the subject because students dont have to spend so much time generating the research.
Kavita, I really like your point related to the cycle of dependence... and I worry that the next generations of students are not getting enough practice, in terms of writing the English language, because they are using the abbreviated form that they use for texting, etc.
Mike Crowley
Yes, the sense of mobility is very much behind this title for today's learners It also means mobility in how learning communities are set up and sustained, which is more difficult for teachers to really grasp and integrate into their teaching methods.
Students today have grown up with IPods, blackberrys, cell phones, internet in the home, and social networking. The nomadic learner is the result of having access to unbridled information and accessibility to information and others be they students or friends.
The tecnology created the nomadic learner beacuse the ability ti acquire infromation at any time any where is becoming common place.
Good discussion, Theresa. There are current studies in the area of cognitive science that examine exactly what you're referring to here...yes, there are differences to the ways in which people think, due to new technology. I also agree, however, that we do well to keep students within the continuum of social progression so that learning can be well situated in social interaction and application.
Yes, perhaps one day, Donald, degrees/programs of study will be customized not only within institutions but across institutions more freely so that the strength of any program can be selected by the students, not packaged by the institution. That would be interesting...
Yes, which is why moving away form the teacher- source type of model to student-led will put the responsibility back on to the student to meet their own needs or at least do all they can in the process.
